AN: Here we are, the last chapter! Thank you to everyone who followed this story!
I sat cross legged on my bed, if you can call it that, and l leaned my head back against the hard, cold wall with my eyes closed. We all sat in silence. We had nothing to say or do. Strangely enough something felt different today compared to the last, I couldn't put my finger on it though. The only way to pass time in my cell is to reflect back on my memories, good and bad.
"I'll see you around, then,"
I scoffed, "See you around, you mean in these cells?"
"Kid," Tony stared at me through the glass, "I'll find a way to get you out of there, I promise,"
"Don't make promises that you can't keep Tony," I grumbled, as Tony walked away from my cell and out of the prison area towards Secretary Ross and his whirring helicopter.
I thought that would be the last time I spoke with Tony, at least for a while since I was locked up. But I was so very wrong.
The door opened with force, it was soon followed by loud foot steps. They made their way down the hall until they stopped at the front of my cell.
"Did you know?" A familiar male voice rang through my ears.
I looked up and see Tony, who somehow looked even worse than the last time I saw him, which was almost forty-eight hours ago. Something wasn't right. Did things go downhill with Steve and Bucky?
"Know what?" I asked back with a confused expression.
"Know that Rogers' buddy, The Winter Soldier killed my parents!" He began yelling.
I dropped my head sighing, "Shit," I muttered, and shifted myself so I could stand up. I walked towards the cell bars facing Tony. "Yes, I knew," I answered softly, meeting Tony's angry gaze.
"Wha-" Tony began, but stopped himself and began pacing in front of my cell. "You knew and didn't tell me," Tony stated lowly, pointing at me accusingly. Clearly angry with me but it almost seemed like he was also disappointed in me.
I gave Tony a bewildered look, "Tony, what did you want me to do or say? 'Hey Tony, great weather today, right? Oh, and by the way The Winter Soldier killed your parents,'" I remarked, raising my shoulders. "It's not something you can bring up casually in a conversation," I added, defending myself.
"I expected more from you!" Tony admitted, and walked towards the door.
"So did I!" I called after him.
Everyone was quiet, no sound was heard, for once it was just quiet. And it stayed that way
An alarm sounded, blaring through the compound.
My eyes shot open and I looked around the cell block, flashing red lights filled the whole corridor. I get up and move towards the bars, poking my head out as best as I could to see what's going on. Wanda was on her feet as well, leaning against the wall to help balance her.
"What's going on?" I yelled to her over the alarm
Footsteps sounded throughout the floor we were on and went closet to Sam's cell.
"I can answer that," a familiar voice from across my cell yelled. I turn to face the voice and my eyes widen as I watched with growing elation as Steve walked out of the darkness. "You guys look like you need a hand,"
"Steve, what took you so long?" Sam asked sarcastically, as the doors opened.
I leaned against the doorway for support when Steve came and wrapped his arm around my shoulder helping me to walk as Sam did the same for Wanda.
"What did they do to you two?" Steve asked, his mischievous smirk gone.
Wanda and I shared a look, "Enough," Wanda uttered.
"We'll explain later," I clarified. "But right now, I can be more use without this collar around my neck and these shackles," Steve took the hint and once we reached the control room he slammed his fist down on a button and the collar unlocked. As did Wanda's. We both smiled lightly and Steve came around with the key to the handcuffs and the inserted key into the lock and they unlocked with 'click'.
I hurled the cuffs to the floor, while Steve was assisting Wanda in getting off the that god forsaken straight jacket. Once Wanda was free she and I simultaneously chucked our collars to the floor.
"Let's get out of here," Steve's words were refreshing.
~~~x~~~
A month had passed and Zemo was put under custody by the CIA for causing mass hysteria and terrorist acts. Thanks to T'Challa and his kind heart he let us stay in his kingdom, Wakanda. We needed a place to hide for a while, we were fugitives now, but at least now we're away from the Raft. T'Challa vowed to help us keep Bucky safe for as long as possible. He finally knew that Bucky was innocent.
A man patched up Bucky's left shoulder since that was the only thing left from his fight with Tony. I remember when I first saw it, I was confused and concerned.
I was leaning against Sam as the ship took off from the helipad. My eyes wandered around to everyone taking in their haggard appearance That's when I noticed his stub.
"Bucky your arm..." I trailed off, lifting my head from Sam's shoulder.
I heard Steve's voice call back to us, "Had a run in with Stark,"
Then my worst fear has come true, the wedge between the team would never heal again.
My eyebrows raised, "Tony did that?" I asked shocked.
Bucky nodded solemnly before Steve continued. "He came to help us originally, but Zemo showed him what really happened to his parents and...well, as you can see,"
I nodded my head, looking down at my hands, "He was going to find out at some point,"
The man left and I looked over to Bucky, who had been acting subdued ever since the showdown with Tony.
I get up and walk up to him, "Bucky, what's wrong?" I asked concernedly, crossing my arms. He kept his eyes low and didn't answer. I unfolded my arms and placed my hand under his chin, lifting it up so his eyes would meet mine. "Hey," I called softly, and I searched his eyes.
After everything that has happened, I've been hesitant of using my powers. Maybe it was because of what Tony said, and how he truly expressed what he thinks of my powers. I usually let talk like that roll off my back, but when Tony said it, it stung. Why? Because Tony was my friend, and I never imagined a friend to say that about me. Tony' right, people aren't fond that I can read them like an open book with such ease, but for Bucky's sake I did.
He still felt guilty about what he did to Tony's parents, "Bucky," I began. "You are more than the worst thing that's ever happened to you. You need to stop apologizing for having been through hell and surviving," His eyes tear away from mine as guilt flushed his features.
"Even after knowing you for so long, it's unnerving how you can read me like that," Bucky chuckled.
"Yeah, I get that a lot. Can you believe it?" I retorted, with a light shrug and smile.
I moved closer to him, he was sat high up on a table, and was still taller than me. I place my hands on his interlocking our fingers, making him look into my eyes. "You didn't kill anyone, Bucky. HYDRA did," There was a split moment as I wanted to place my lips on his hand, but I didn't. I moved away from him just as Steve walked in.
Steve crossed his arms against his chest as Bucky looked over at me.
"Sure about this?" Steve questioned, as Bucky didn't take his eyes off of me.
"I can't trust my own mind," Bucky sighed. "So until they figure out how to get this stuff out of my head, I think going back under is the best thing," I was completely against his decision, there was nothing I could say or do to change his mind, I had tried, but he wouldn't budge. "For everybody," Bucky looked back over to me. "Take care of him for me. He can be reckless sometimes," He said smiling.
I let out a laugh and Steve looked at Bucky with 'really?' face.
I patted Steve's back, "I've been doing that for several years now. He's in good hands," I assured, with a smile and Bucky smiled back.
Steve gave his small goodbyes, Bucky returning the manner. Bucky stood up from the table and entered into the pod and then strapped in. The glass door of the tank closed. We watched as it filled up with gas as it let out a small hissing noise. Bucky took in a deep breath, taking in the chemicals. I shared one last glance with him before closed his eyes and was put into cryostasis. The view of him was then cut off by the tank filling up with frost. A group of Wakandans came to collect the pod and placed it in a secured place where no one can find it, and all that Steve and I could do was watch.
"He'll be back in no time," I reassured, rubbing Steve's arm.
"I know," He agreed, as we walked to a window and T'Challa joined us. "Thank you, King T'Challa," Steve said.
T'Challa smiled, "Your friend and my father were both victims...if I could help one, then they can have peace,"
"You know if they find out he's here...they'll come for you," I stated, looking over at T'Challa.
"Let them try," T'Challa smirked.
Before our eyes, a view of a beautiful rain forest covered the land and at the top stood a mammoth Panther cave.
AN: It has been a journey, but I've enjoyed every step it took to get here and hopefully you did as well. Once again, a very big thank you to all of you who followed this story from the beginning and now to the end.